Why It's Important to Protect Our Springs

In its latest blog on Patch, the Southwest Florida Water Management District explains what it's doing to protect the natural springs it calls "essential" to our environment and economy.

Florida's natural springs are "essential to the environment, economy, citizens and visitors of the state," according to the Southwest Florida Water Management District. That's why the agency invested more than $2.2 million in springs protection and restoration last year and has approved $3.9 million more for the coming fiscal year, SFWMD spokesperson Susanna Martinez Tarokh explains in her latest blog on Patch. "There are more than 150 documented springs throughout the 16-county District, with five first magnitude spring groups that collectively discharge more than one billion gallons of water per day," Martinez Tarokh writes. Have you ever visited any of these springs? Do you agree with SFWMD's mission to protect them? We want to hear …

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Blogger: Shop for Pet With Your Brain, Not Your Eyes

For families with toddlers to teens, here are some questions to consider when selecting your next family pet. And remember "that cute dog might not be the best match for you."

Pinellas Jobless Rate Dips Again – Is the Economy Picking Up?

The county's unemployment rate dropped to 6.5 percent in April. Here's a look – and a link to job openings in the Gulfport area.

The Pinellas County jobless rate dropped slightly in April, beating the overall unemployment rate in Tampa Bay and Florida, the Tampa Bay Times reports. Pinellas County's rated dropped from 6.7 percent in March to 6.5 percent in April. (Looking for work? Check out Classified Job Listings on the Gulfport Patch.) There's more good news. The overall jobless rate across Tampa Bay – including Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Citrus and Hernando Counties – decreased from 6.9 to 6.7 percent, according to the Tampa Bay Times, quoting figures from the state Department of Economic Opportunity. Florida's unemployment rate fell to 7.2 percent in April, from 7.5 percent in March. This is the lowest since 2008. Here are unemployment rates of some Florida …

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What's Tampa Bay Saying?

Tea Party Targeting, AP Phone Taps: What’s Up with Government Lately?

As news about possible abuses of power on the federal level continues to break, we’d like to get your take about what’s been going on Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay residents who keep up with the headlines coming out of Washington, D.C., have likely found themselves scratching their heads more than a few times this past week. Allegations of wrongdoing seem to be coming at the speed of light as the Obama Administration fends off bad press about inappropriate targeting of Tea Party organizations by the Internal Revenue Service and possible wrongdoing in the handling of a national security leak. The IRS’ targeting of Tea Party groups centers around hassles these groups report experiencing while trying to apply for tax-exempt status prior to the 2012 election. The controversy even hit home as Bay area groups are now reporting that they were targeted, according to The Tampa Tribune. The kerfuffle…

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New In Town

Gulfport Produce's New Owners Jumping Right In

Felana and Ryan Bernat moved to town in April and have already "fallen in love" with Gulfport.

If you need a fresh ear of corn, in-season fruit or organic leafy greens, Gulfport Produce is your locally owned one-stop shop. The produce stand has been offering locally grown fruits, veggies and herbs on Gulfport Boulevard for years. While new owners Felana and Ryan Bernat don't plan on making major changes, they're hoping to spruce up the stand with their enthusiasm and passion for produce. "We're excited. Tried of working for the man," Felana says with a chuckle. Just six months ago the Bernats, originally from Florida, scanned the Internet from their home in Pennsylvania. They were looking for a place to live when Ryan took a glance at commercial properties and found Gulfport Produce. "He just spotted it for sale. It just happened," …

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Trace Taylor

3:01 pm on Friday, May 17, 2013

These guys are awesome!   more ›

Retiring at 50: Could You Follow This Woman's Extreme Savings Plan?

Here's the story of Marlene Konkoly, who found creative ways to spend less and save more so she can retire at 50. This story is the first in our series about Extreme Savers.

Americans may be living longer, but our retirement plans aren’t keeping up. Which means people are living longer with smaller bank accounts.  But Marlene Konkoly will retire at age 50. How did she do it? She contributes a whopping 45 percent of the gross annual income she earns as a procurement officer for an automotive finance company to her retirement—all while owning a home and remaining debt-free. Konkoly is actually well ahead of the retirement savings curve compared to many of her fellow Americans. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, fewer than half of Americans even know how much money they would need to retire. And nearly a third of employees who had access to a defined contribution plan such as a 401(k) did not participate …

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Blog: Giant Flying Object Lands in Gulfport

On a run through town recently "a strong wind came up suddenly...It had to be about 60 70 mph...Then out of the corner of my eye i saw a giant restaurant umbrella soaring through the sky," Michael Chapman wrote.

Mega Millions Game Debuts in Gulfport – Will You Play?

Florida Lottery officials say that residents have been requesting this game for years. Here are some Gulfport retailers selling the tickets.